The Most Deliciously Moist Applesauce Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Bake!

Are you searching for a cake that’s not only incredibly easy to whip up but also wonderfully moist, packed with flavour, and fills your home with the most comforting aroma? Imagine a tender crumb infused with sweet applesauce and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg – a hug in a cake! Well, look no further! We’re here to share our tried-and-tested, absolutely delightful applesauce cake recipe that will quickly become a family favourite.

This isn’t just any cake; it’s a heartwarming, simple pleasure that’s perfect for any occasion, from an afternoon tea treat to a cosy dessert. Get your aprons ready!

Why We Adore This Classic Applesauce Cake Recipe

There’s a certain old-fashioned charm to an applesauce cake recipe that we just can’t resist. It’s a humble cake, yet it delivers such a satisfying experience. We believe its enduring appeal comes from several factors. Firstly, the applesauce itself works wonders. It imparts a natural sweetness and, more importantly, an incredible moistness that ensures the cake stays tender for days. Secondly, those warming spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, perhaps a hint of cloves or allspice – create an aroma that’s pure comfort, especially on a chilly day. It’s a **moist applesauce cake** that feels like a warm embrace.

Furthermore, this type of cake is often wonderfully straightforward to make. No complicated techniques or fancy ingredients are usually required, making it an accessible bake for everyone. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just setting out, you can achieve a fantastic result with our **easy applesauce cake recipe**.

Gathering Your Ingredients: The Heart of Our Applesauce Cake Recipe

To create this delightful cake, you’ll need a few staple baking ingredients, along with our star – applesauce! Here’s what we recommend for our delicious applesauce cake recipe:

The Wet Ingredients: For Moisture and Flavour

• Applesauce: 250g (about 1 cup) of unsweetened applesauce. Using unsweetened allows you to control the overall sweetness of the cake. If you only have access to sweetened applesauce, you might want to slightly reduce the sugar in the recipe. Both smooth and chunky applesauce work well, depending on your preference.
• Vegetable Oil (or Melted Butter): 120ml (1/2 cup). Oil tends to make cakes moister, but melted butter adds a lovely flavour. Your choice!
• Eggs: 2 large, at room temperature. Room temperature eggs incorporate better into the batter.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. For that lovely aromatic warmth.

The Dry Ingredients: The Cake’s Structure

• Plain Flour (All-Purpose Flour): 250g (about 2 cups).
• Light Brown Sugar (or Granulated Sugar): 200g (about 1 cup), packed if using brown sugar. Brown sugar contributes a delightful molasses undertone, but granulated sugar works perfectly fine too.
• Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking Soda): 1 teaspoon. This helps the cake rise and become fluffy.
• Baking Powder: 1/2 teaspoon. For extra lift.
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon. Balances the sweetness.

The Spices: Key to That Classic Applesauce Cake Flavour

These spices are what make an applesauce cake recipe truly special. Feel free to adjust them to your taste:

• Ground Cinnamon: 1.5 – 2 teaspoons. We love a good cinnamon kick!
• Ground Nutmeg: 1/2 teaspoon.
• Ground Cloves (Optional but Recommended): 1/4 teaspoon. A little goes a long way.
• Ground Allspice (Optional): 1/4 teaspoon. Adds another layer of warmth.

Optional Add-ins: To Make It Your Own

• Chopped Nuts: 100g (around 1 cup) of chopped walnuts or pecans.
• Raisins or Sultanas: 100g (about 3/4 cup). You can soak them in a little warm water or apple juice for 10 minutes and then drain them to make them plumper.
• Chopped Crystallised Ginger: 50g (about 1/4 cup) for a lovely spicy kick.

Step-by-Step: Baking Your Delicious Applesauce Cake

Now, let’s get baking! Our easy applesauce cake recipe is simple to follow.

1. Step 1: Prepare Your Tin and Preheat the OvenPreheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4). Grease and flour a 20cm (8-inch) square baking tin or a 23cm (9-inch) round cake tin. Alternatively, line it with baking parchment for easy removal.
2. Step 2: Combine Dry IngredientsIn a spacious mixing bowl, combine by whisking the plain flour, sugar (if employing granulated), bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and any additional ground spices you intend to use (cloves, allspice). Whisking facilitates even combination and aerates the flour. If brown sugar is your choice, you will incorporate it with the wet ingredients.
3. Step 3: Combine Wet IngredientsIn a distinct medium-sized bowl, thoroughly whisk the applesauce, vegetable oil (or melted butter), eggs, and vanilla extract. If you are incorporating light brown sugar, introduce it into this bowl and whisk until the mixture is well combined and the sugar has mostly dissolved.
4. Step 4: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon or a spatula, mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are okay. Excessive mixing can result in a dense cake.
5. Step 5: Stir in Add-ins (Optional)If you’re using chopped nuts, raisins, sultanas, or crystallised ginger, carefully incorporate them into the batter at this stage. This is where you can truly customise your applesauce cake recipe.
6. Step 6: Pour into the Tin and Bake. Distribute the batter uniformly into your ready baking tin. Level the surface using your spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for a duration of 30-40 minutes, or until a skewer pushed into the cake’s middle emerges without batter. If the cake’s surface begins to darken too rapidly, you may loosely shield it with a sheet of aluminium foil.
7. Step 7: Cool Your Applesauce CakeOnce baked, take the cake out of the oven and permit it to cool within the tin for approximately 10-15 minutes. Following this, carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool down completely before you slice or apply frosting. Permitting it to cool adequately is vital for achieving the ideal texture of your **moist applesauce cake**.

Topping Your Applesauce Cake: Simple to Sensational

While this applesauce cake recipe is delicious enough to be enjoyed plain, a little something extra on top can make it even more special. Here are a few ideas:

• Simple Dusting: A light dusting of icing sugar (confectioners’ sugar) is elegant and easy.
• Cinnamon Sugar: Mix a tablespoon of granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and sprinkle over the warm cake.
• Lemon Glaze: Whisk together 100g (about 1 cup) of icing sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake.
• Cream Cheese Frosting: This is a classic pairing for a spiced cake! Beat together 100g softened cream cheese, 50g softened unsalted butter, 200g icing sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Spread over the completely cooled cake. This makes for an incredibly **delicious applesauce cake**.
• Brown Sugar Glaze: Melt 50g unsalted butter in a saucepan. Stir in 100g light brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring. Let it cool slightly before pouring over the cake.

Tips and Tricks for the Best Ever Applesauce Cake Recipe

We want your applesauce cake recipe to be a resounding success! Here are a few extra tips:

• Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until the ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in a tough cake.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and applesauce (if refrigerated) helps them incorporate more easily into the batter, leading to a better texture.
• Choosing Your Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce gives you more control over the cake’s sweetness. If using sweetened, you might want to reduce the sugar in the recipe by a couple of tablespoons. Both smooth and chunky applesauce work; chunky will add a little more texture.
• Spice Level: Feel free to adjust the amount and types of spices to your liking. If you love a strong spice flavour, don’t be afraid to add a little extra!
• Checking for Doneness: Ovens vary, so start checking your cake around the 30-minute mark. A skewer inserted into the centre should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Making it Dairy-Free: Use a dairy-free spread instead of butter (if using) and ensure your applesauce is dairy-free. Serve plain or with a dairy-free glaze.

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Variations: Customising Your Applesauce Cake

This applesauce cake recipe is a fantastic base for creativity. Here are some variations to inspire you:

• Apple & Raisin Applesauce Cake: Fold in one finely chopped apple (peeled and cored) along with the raisins for extra apple flavour and texture.
• Chocolate Chip Applesauce Cake: Stir in 150g (about 1 cup) of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) with the optional add-ins.
• Cranberry Applesauce Cake: Add 100g (about 1 cup) of fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, don’t thaw) for a lovely tartness. You might want to slightly increase the sugar if using fresh cranberries.
• Applesauce Bundt Cake: This batter works beautifully in a greased and floured Bundt tin. Baking time will likely be longer, around 45-55 minutes. Start checking at 40 minutes.
• Gluten-Free Applesauce Cake: Substitute the plain flour with a good quality gluten-free all-purpose baking blend that contains xanthan gum.

Storing Your Delicious Creation

Your moist applesauce cake will keep well at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. If it has cream cheese frosting, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature before serving.

You can also freeze the unadorned cake. Encase it securely in cling film, followed by a layer of aluminium foil, or put it into a container suitable for freezing. It will remain good in the freezer for a period of up to three months. Defrost at ambient temperature prior to serving or adding frosting.

• Learn how to Make Your Own Applesauce from scratch.
• Explore more Easy Cake Recipes for Beginners.
• For more information on the science of baking and how different ingredients work, a great resource is the King Arthur Baking website (They have many informative articles under their “Learn” section).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Applesauce Cake Recipe

Can I use homemade applesauce for this applesauce cake recipe?

Yes, absolutely! Homemade applesauce is wonderful in this cake. Just ensure it’s not too watery. If it seems very thin, you might want to let it simmer a bit longer to thicken up, or strain off some excess liquid. Unsweetened is generally preferred.

What if I only have sweetened applesauce?

You can still use sweetened applesauce. We recommend reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe by about 50g (1/4 cup) to compensate. Taste the batter (before adding eggs if you’re concerned) to gauge sweetness if possible.

Can I make this applesauce cake recipe into muffins?

Yes, this batter makes lovely applesauce muffins! Line a muffin tin with paper cases and fill them about two-thirds full. Bake at the same temperature (180°C / 160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4) for about 18-22 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. This recipe should yield about 12-15 muffins.

My cake is a bit dense. What might have gone wrong?

A dense cake can be due to a few things: overmixing the batter, using cold ingredients, or incorrect oven temperature. Ensure you mix only until the ingredients are just combined and that your oven is properly preheated. Also, check the expiry date of your bicarbonate of soda and baking powder.

Can I make this applesauce cake recipe vegan?

Yes, you can adapt this recipe to be vegan. Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or another egg replacer for the eggs. Ensure your applesauce is vegan and use oil instead of butter. Serve plain or with a vegan glaze or frosting.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Comfort Bake Awaits!

We truly believe our applesauce cake recipe is one you’ll turn to time and time again. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity, comforting flavours, and delightful moistness. Whether you enjoy it as an afternoon treat with a cup of tea, a simple dessert, or a welcome addition to a bake sale, this cake is sure to bring smiles.

The aroma alone as it bakes is enough to make anyone feel cosy and content. So, why not gather your ingredients and fill your home with the wonderful scent of this **easy applesauce cake**? It’s a rewarding bake that proves you don’t need complicated steps to create something truly delicious.

We’d love to hear about your baking adventures with our applesauce cake recipe! Did you add any special ingredients or try a different topping? Share your experiences and photos in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more simple baking projects or heartwarming dessert recipes, be sure to explore our other offerings!